DA & Sheriff’s Offices “hitting them where it hurts”

Last week’s crackdown on illegal 8-liner gambling facilities and their proprietors by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit and assisting agencies has since resulted in the seizure of over one-quarter million dollars.

According to First Assistant District Attorney Phil Grant, as of Friday, the total amount seized stood at $264,387.

The SIU, assisted by the Texas Department of Public Safety, MCSO Criminal Investigations Division, MCSO District 3 Patrol Division and Claudia Laird with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office served warrants on Dec. 13 and 14 at multiple locations in Harris and Montgomery Counties, arresting eight people.

Albertine Morris, 69, of New Caney; 25-year-old Randy Bailey and 25-year-old Melissa Bailey of Splendora; Kenneth Hickman, 43, of Pasadena; Eric Moore, 48, of Houston; Jimmy Nguyen, 24, of Houston; Kelly Carrasco, 24, of Splendora, and 70-year-old Jimmy Miaoulis of Humble were charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activities, which is a state jail felony and three Class A misdemeanors: Promotion of Gambling, Keeping a Gambling Place and Possession of Gambling Equipment.

Grant said the District Attorney’s Office has met with the Sheriff’s Office and share a strong determination rid Montgomery County of game rooms that facilitate illegal gambling and the additional crimes and criminals they attract.

“It doesn’t do any good unless we hit them in their pocketbooks,” Grant said. “Until we hit them where it hurts, they’re not going to move out of this county.”

The case will be presented to a grand jury and the eight suspects arrested last week may face additional charges of money laundering.